Black cohosh medicinal herb can alleviate severe pain in childbirth

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) medicinal herb is a tall perennial herbaceous plant originally found in the Northeastern United States. The main part used as herbal medicine is the root or rhizome. This medicinal herb can be considered as the plant with natural estrogen and it belongs to the Ranunculaceae family.  It was initially used by the Native Indians for medicinal purposes.

The medicinal properties are alterative, emmenagogue, nervine, astringent, expectorant, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, sedative as well as antispasmodic.  It is popularly known as a woman's herb.  As a matter of fact, it was used in Europe during the 1950s primarily for women's conditions

The common names are Black Snakeroot, Gugwort, Bugbane, Squawroot, Squaw root, Black Aristolochiaceae, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Baneberry, Bugwort, Tattleweed, Phytoestrogen, Rattlesnake's root, and Richweed.

The root contains substances such as condensed tannins or otherwise referred to as catechol-type tannins, polyflavonoid tannins, non-hydrolyzable tannins, pyrocatecollic type tannins or flavolans, phytosterin and of course, estrogen.

Health benefits of black cohosh

The root has been used for years as a remedy for various gynaecological conditions including the female reproductive disorders, as well as ailments related to menopause, especially hot flashes. It is excellent for every uterine problem, night sweats, vaginal dryness. It is a very reliable medicinal herb when it comes to inducing the menstrual flow which may have been delayed by cold or skin exposure.

It is splendid for hysteria, anxiety, St. Vitus dance, pelvic disturbances, dropsy, rheumatism, arthritis and muscle pain, spinal meningitis, asthma, delirium tremens, venomous snake bites and venomous insect bites.

High blood pressure affects thousand of people worldwide and most people would love to utilize natural remedy for such an ailment.  Therefore, This medicinal herb is an an excellent remedy for high blood pressure (hypertension) as well as for normalizing blood circulation. Upon making it into a herbal syrup, it is effective in coughs, whooping cough, as well as in liver and kidney problems.

It was discovered that it can decrease the risk of breast cancer. This scientific research was established by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. They actually believed that it can lower the risk of breast cancer by at least sixty percent.

Due to its estrogen hormone levels, it is capable of aiding in the revitalization and prevention of loss of hair.  It may also contribute to significant hair growth.

It is a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs.  However, it may not work well with birth control pills and tamoxifen.

One to three capsules a day is the standard dose.

Precaution

This medicinal herb is not recommended to be used while pregnant and because of its potency black cohosh root should not be used continuously over a long period of time without a break. 

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Updated November 16, 2015